Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-07-16

kins knows something about Mr. Cecil
Finch"
In day or two third letter bearing
the Washington post-mark arrived for
Mr.. Madison. 1t said. Strange rs il
may appear, we should be glad if YOU
would nterrogate the man whom YOU
call John Parkins as to the where
abouts of Mr.. Finch. Tell him that
your reason for asking is that Cecil
Finch has come into title and fortune
by the unexpected death of his uncle"
Mr.. Madison vas now thoroughly
excited. What if his butler were the
new lord in masquerade? He laughed
to himself as he pictured the face of
his wife and sister when they should
hear the news.
1t so happened that this last letter
from the Legation had been sent to Mr..
Madison's house. and il was there tn at
he read it. His wife was out with
Sylvia.
His decision was quickly formed. He
touched the bell. Parkins appeared.
calm and correct as he was in his best
moment when there was nothing to
diSconcert him.
''Parkins. said his master. did you
ever happen to hear of an English
gentleman called Cecil Finch?'
Yes, sir. ;" said the butler. II think
l have heard you mention his name,
sir, at dinner, night or two ago"
Have you ever seen him ?"
Yes. sir.-in Wyoming, sir"
ut would be good thing for him.
ly, IF you could find him."
How so, sir ?" asked the young
man. changing his color little.
He has just come into his uncle's
title and estate; and he can't be
found"
"Bv Jove! Is Lord Grimsmead
dead ?'' cried the butler, in a voice
very different from his usual guarded
one.
Before he had time to pull himself
together and apologize. Mr.. Madison
pounced upon him.
Look here, Mr.. Finch ~ he said.
quite sternly, you are no Dutler
Your name isn't Parkins Why did
You lie to me ?''
mo, Mr.. Madison" said the man,
''I AM not butler, and my name isn't
Parkins, and lie is not word to use
among gentlemen -
But, hang it. Parkins. Finch,
whatever you are. | cant realize quite
vet that you are not what l thought
you five minutes ago. And l think |
have a perfect right to know why YOU
have imposed on me in this way" said
Mr.. Madison, still irate.
''Of course you have" said Mr..
Finch. late John Parkins. "The story
is simply this. | was pretty well down
On NV luck after having tried ranching
and failed. as many cleverer man
than | am has done before. was too
proud to go home. There was no one
Of whom could borrow, and | hadn't
a penny. l saw your advertisement in
the paper, and applied for the situa-
ton. L hadn't an idea that you'd take
me, but L was touched by your conf
dence, Mr.. Madison, and I've done the
very best | could for you. | remem-
bered the old butler at home, and |
tried to model myself on him.
The other night you thought, no
doubt, that l was drunk. l wasn't;
but the man who sat next to Mrs. Mad
son was fellow who knew me well at
Oxford, ten years ago."
Both men had been standing while
they talked. Madison read candor and
integrity in the handsome face of the
other.
''Sit down. Mr.. Finch" he said,
''and tell me the rest"
Il would rather stand. thank you"
said Finch. How do you know that
I'm telling you the truth? Is my Ok
ford friend in town yet?"
IL believe So" said Mr.. Madison.
''Will YOU 90 there with me and get
me dentitied?r asked Finch. Then he
added smiling a little. Il believe I've
got one pretty decent coat.
About six o'clock the ladies came
home. The parlor was full of spring
twilight.
why are no lamps lighted ? asked
Mrs. Madison. Where's Parkins
never knew him to be so careless"
She rang the bell sharply. 1t was
answered by her maid.
Where is Parkins ?'' Mrs. Madison
demanded.
Gone out, mann. with Mr.. Madi-
son. SAID the maid, demurely.
With Mr.. Madison ? How extraor-
dinary -
He said he might not come back. ;"
said the maid. rather enjoying Mrs.
Madison's surprise.
Sylvia then entered.
'''The table isn't set and l can't find
Parkins anywhere" she said.
When the lady's maid withdrew, the
sisters expressed themselves more free
ly.
always the way with nay buffers! Is
this frightful servant-hunt going to be-
begin again?' moaned Mrs. Mad son.
"And really he was a man one could
have loved. if he hadn't been a but
!er." sighed Miss Arden.
Presently Mr.. Madison returned
alone. Without giving his wife time
for indignant questions. ne said
"Parkins wanted to come back and
serve his dinner. but | wouldn't let
him"
And pray why not ?" asked his
wife. What has he done ?''
He has gone and got himself a title.
and 1 thought that a dinner handed
round by my Lord Grimsmead would
choke us all.
The next day Lord Grimsmead. for
merlv Cecil Finch alas John Parkins,
modestly requested a few moments
conversation with Mrs. Madison.
She was less at her ease than he.
Il wanted to come back last n ght,
Mrs Madison ~ he said canning fnr-